Maryland men’s soccer falters in 2-0 loss to No. 16 Georgetown

The Terps surrendered both goals in the first half.

After opening its season with a 1-1 draw against UMBC, Maryland men’s soccer entered its home opener Sunday night hungry for its first win.

Ninety minutes later, the Terps were trudging off Ludwig Field following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of No. 16 Georgetown. Both goals came off the foot of freshman forward Mitchell Baker.

“Every single person who has been here last year, they know how terrible that feeling was,” midfielder and captain Alex Nitzl said of the loss, “... and every person that decided to come here after a year like that, they know what they signed up for. Yes, right now it hurts and it’s terrible, but from tomorrow on all eyes [are] on Detroit [Mercy].”

Disaster struck early for Maryland on what at first looked like routine defensive action for freshman Jace Clark, who played right back.

Clark attempted to clear a ball on the edge of Maryland’s 18-yard box, but it careened off the back of Alex Nitzl back toward Maryland’s goal. Freshman goalie Laurin Mack came flying out of the goalmouth in attempt to collect it but failed, as the ball fell right to Baker for his first career goal.

The Terps responded to the early deficit well, though, with a spell of possession and pressure, forcing a couple of impressive saves from Georgetown goalkeeper Tenzing Manske.

Maryland’s best effort of the game came from left back Luca Costabile, who struck a beautiful half volley that curved outward toward the top left corner. But Manske was equal to it, gloving it over the bar.

In the midst of weathering Maryland’s storm, the Hoyas got a gift that allowed them to double their lead. The ball was played back to Mack in goal who, noticing William Kulvik was on the field with an injury, played the ball out of bounds.

The Terps expected the Hoyas to return the ball, as is commonplace, although not required. Instead, Georgetown launched its attack and played three balls in quick succession, the last one falling to Baker on the front post who smashed in his second goal.

“They took advantage of a situation where the ball should have been given back to us,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “That does not sit well with me and I hope it doesn’t sit well with our team. I hope that we get another chance to play them later this year.”

The goal was instantly met with complaints from Maryland’s sideline to both the officials and Georgetown, but nonetheless, the Terps’ hole became significantly deeper.

“Of course, we’re pissed at them. Of course, in the heat of the moment you’re very emotional, but after all, they set it up as if they were going to take the throw,” Nitzl said, “so I don’t think we did a good job sorting that out.”

The Terps met the second goal against with a less energetic response, and Georgetown went into the break up 2-0 with all the game’s momentum.

Maryland needed to retake the field in the second half with a different energy. It did not.

The Hoyas were prepared to sit in and protect their lead, and Maryland was unable to break through and create any real chances. The best the Terps could do was generate corners — which they earned 13 of — but their set pieces left a lot to be desired.

“Set pieces, you can prep for them, you can plan for them, you can have different plays, but at the end of the day it’s about beating the guy that’s standing across from you to the ball,” Max Rogers said. “Today was case in point of Georgetown just beating us to that ball.”

The Terps are now winless through two games, heading into a Friday night match against Detroit Mercy.

Three things to know

1. Strikers stay silent. Maryland’s offensive production has been limited to just a singular goal through two games in 2024. One explanation for the lackluster offensive start has been the struggles of its two primary forwards: Colin Griffith and Luke Van Heukelum. Even when Maryland has threatened, it’s come from other places, like its wingers or central midfielders.

2. Manske impressed. As concerning as Maryland’s offensive struggles have been for Terps fans, the game was inches away from following a very different script. Manske denied Costabile before pushing a rocket from Kenny Quist-Therson onto the crossbar to preserve his shutout. After that stretch, the Terps failed to test him.

3. A turning of the tide? The Terps and Hoyas have now played 38 times in a series that has historically been dominated by Maryland, who has 30 wins. The last 11 matchups leading up to this one were either decided by a goal or ended in a draw, though. This was the Hoyas’ sixth all-time victory in the series.

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